ADHD Diagnoses: It's Not As Difficult As You Think
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They may ask to see old reports and speak to family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.
Symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and conducting physical examination. You can also mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at home, work and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely to manifest differently as they get older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If your adult symptoms match the guidelines for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. adhd adult diagnosis uk are sometimes employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be studied. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to focus, forgetting about things, and interrupting others.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must occur in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause problems, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet all of the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as your family. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an assessment.
During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can be a long time. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the individual's daily activities. This means that the symptoms have to be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD is based on at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often missed. However, their problems can have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with peers or have difficulty to keep their job. They require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time, but it is not the most popular. The newer name takes into account that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few differences in how the disorder presents itself between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This means they are more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes a medical history review, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well, as well as normed scales of rating used by loved ones and teachers. These can be useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely effective for children and adults with this condition too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.